Where was Heartstopper filmed? Herne Bay filming locations for Netflix show - which Kent high school was used?

Netflix has released Heartstopper, a new coming-of-age romance which is getting rave reviews.

NationalWorld’s review of Heartstopper described it as “probably the most immediately likeable new television show of the year so far,” praising its pleasant and upbeat vibe. You can read the full review here.

The series is based on a series of graphic books of the same name written by YA author Alice Oseman, who also serves as the series’ writer and executive producer.

Nick and Charlie, two students at an all-boys’ grammar school, meet at the start of a new term and instantly become friends in Heartstopper.

Soon later, they develop feelings for one another and begin to pursue a tentative relationship.

But where was it filmed? The unassuming filming locations may surprise you...

Here is everything you need to know.

Where was Heartstopper filmed?

The series was primarily shot in Herne Bay, a coastal town situated on the Thames Estuary’s coast in Kent.

The Bay Pier at Central Parade, the beach, and the town centre of the seaside town were all used to film scenes.

A Kent Film Office spokesman confirmed: “During filming, production visited Herne Bay to film various scenes on the pier, beach and town centre.”

Filming began in April 2021 and was completed in June 2021 - when the drama’s working title was Evergreen, crews were sighted in Herne Bay for one day of filming.

Truham Grammar School serves as the perfect setting for much of the action in the programme, as it is where the lads first meet.

Unfortunately, the school is a work of fiction, although sequences placed there were shot at Herne Bay High School on Bullockstone Road.

Netflix has previously filmed in Kent, with sequences from the hit programme Sex Education being shot in Folkestone’s Harbour Arm.

Who is in the cast?

The cast is primarily made up of first-time actors found through an open audition process - for example, Joe Locke, who plays Charlie Spring in his first screen role.

Kit Connor plays Nick Nelson. Connor is one of the more experienced actors of the cast, having previously appeared in Elton John biopic Rocketman and BBC One dramas SS-GB and War and Peace.

William Gao and Yasmin Finney play Tao and Elle, friends of Charlie’s who are initially sceptical of Nick. Again, this is both of their first roles, but Finney can soon be seen in Billy Porter’s directorial debut What If?

The rest of the student cast includes Kizzy Edgell as Darcy, Corinna Brown as Tara, Jenny Walser (Call the Midwife) as Tori Spring, Sebastian Croft (Horrible Histories) as Ben, and Tobie Donovan as Isaac.

Amongst the adult cast are Fisayo Akinade (Cucumber) as Mr Ajayi, the supportive art teacher.

How can I watch Heartstopper?

All eight episodes of Heartstopper were made  available to stream on Netflix on Friday 22 April.

Heartstopper is eight episodes in total, each around 25-or-so minutes long.